10.31.08

Easy Does It!

“Easy Does It” For the 2-Toed Sloth

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Friday, October 31, 2008

Puzzle by Jim Page, edited by Will Shortz

“Easy does it!” is the clue for both of the intersecting entries of 6-Down, WHATSTHEBIGRUSH and 33-Across, TAKEADEEPBREATH -- and might also be advice to the solver of today’s crossword, as easy doesn’t do it! Notwithstanding the grueling mystery of two 15-letter entries with the Shortzesque clues of “Easy does it!“ which could be any remark one might spout, decent or obscene, there are also four corners of eight-letter trios with somewhat vague clues, making this truly hard-core Friday fare!

Upper right across: WHOCARES; HANDMADE; AGELIMIT. Upper left down: ADAMWEST; DAMEEDNA; OVERBOOK. Lower right down: ASKABOUT; TOILETTE; HUNTRESS (38D. Artemis or Atalanta). Lower left across: HONOLULU; OPERATES; SISSYISH.

A few more links: DAVIES (14A. Companion of Hearst at San Simeon castle); 26A. Maestro EDO de Waart; HAGAR (7D. Sammy nicknamed “The Red Rocker”), NORRIS (42A. “Good Guys Wear Black” star, 1978); SETONS (13D. Sisters of Charity founder and family); AMENRA (17A. Dualistic deity); BADEN (24. Black Forest resort); BARI (40. Capital of the Apulia region); RAMADA (11. Open-sided porch); 24. BARRIO (24. Chicago’s Little Village, e.g.); RENNES (44. Capital of the Brittany region).

For anything else…well, easy does it!

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10.30.08

Lights, Camera, Action!

Director Erich von Stroheim
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Thursday, October 30, 2008

Puzzle by Chuck Hamilton, edited by Will Shortz

DIRECTORSSHOUT (56A. What the ends of 20-, 35- and 42-Across are, collectively), along with NORTHERNLIGHTS (20A. So-called “fox fires”); VIDEOCAMERA (35A. Recording device); and CLASSACTION (42A. Certain lawsuit), are the interrelated entries of this Thursday crossword.

Ready for action are CFOS, a COOT, COSTAS, Mother EARTH, ELMO, OTIS, ROMEO (61A. “See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!” speaker); SEUSS; SHUE; SNEAD; SUSIE”; TONI and whoever’s not in REHAB (48D. Detox centers).

Here’s the final cut!

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10.29.08

Say What?

Abandoned tile silo outside Edwardsville, Illinois

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Puzzle by Steven L. Zisser, edited by Will Shortz

Today’s wisp of interrelated entries is constituted by the rhyming of homophonic clues, or something like that -- shower, bowers, towers, flower -- PLANETARIUM (16A. Meteor shower); FIDDLEPLAYERS (22A. Country bowers); TEAMSOFHORSES (46A. Farm towers); AMAZONRIVER (56A. South American flower). The probable intent is confusion -- you know, silos, flora, shelter and debris from the heavens.

Other long entries include ARMENIAN (38A. Georgian’s neighbor); BARNEYS (26A. Fife and Frank); DARKEST (44A. Most dismal); HALFMAST (36D. Flag’s position, at times); LIFESAVER (31D. Holey confection); MAINPART (7D. Lead role); MINTING (4D. Moneymaking activity); SKEWING (42D. Presenting unfairly); STAFFROOM (3D. Schoolteachers’ break area); WRESTLED (30A. Fought).

Five-letter entries -- AGREE (64A. What subjects and verbs should do), AERIE, ASFOR, ASTIN, AUTRY, CANOE, CHATS, COSMO, DONOR, EQUAL, HAZES, INERT, OLOGY, RAWLS, READE, SPOOR, TACOS, TASER, TERNS (12D. Fork-tailed fliers).

Four-letter -- AILS, ALAR, AMER, AQUA, ARON, BOLA, CAPS, DART, EMMA, EROS, ERTE, GERE, IWIN, LIES, 51A. “Look MANO hands!”, MEAL, MOON, MYST, OSLO, SOFT, TIDY, WAGE (52A. It may be minimum).

Three-letter -- ALS, APE, ARS, ATM, CST, CUT, DEY, EDU, IRA, LAO, MAE, NOR, OAR, ONE, REM, RIA, SLY, WAN (30D. Hardly ruddy).

That’s it -- CIAO (35D. “Ta-ta!”).

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

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10.28.08

DANCING

Summer Dance, Intermission, by Keith Holmes

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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Puzzle by Allan E. Parrish, edited by Will Shortz

DANCING (38A. Activity exemplified in the ‘60s by the ends of 17-, 28-, 48- and 64-Across), together with OLIVERTWIST (17A. Dickens lad); SHETLANDPONY (28A. Small equine); CLEANANDJERK (48A. Weightlifter’s lift); BRASSMONKEY (64A. Rum/vodka cocktail) are the interrelated entries of this Tuesday crossword.

Other long entries include six of nine letters each in two sets of three, upper right and lower left -- TEARSOPEN; ELIMINATE; TOMSNYDER and ELECTIVES; NETLOSSES; TOTEMPOLE.

A few more links: ENIAC (3D. Computer that debuted in 1946); EOSIN (26A. Red dye); 2D. Double HELIX (DNA structure); HENIE (14A. Skater-turned-actress Sonja); LOTTE (68A. Singer/actress Lenya); MINETA (58A. Norman of the Clinton and Bush cabinets); TOMEI (52A. Oscar winner Marisa); TWEET (55D. Call from a nest); FOWL (7D. Poultry); LEO (37A. MGM's lion).

Dance anyone?

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For the complete post, go HERE.

10.27.08

SPIN

Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, The King and I, 1956

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Monday, October 27, 2008

Puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels and Michael Blake, edited by Will Shortz

SPIN (55D. Twirl … or a cryptic hint to 20-, 36- and 51-Across) is a “clue” to put an SP “in” front of ray of sunshine, ace of diamonds, and utter nonsense with the resulting SPRAYOFSUNSHINE (20A. Aerosol tanning?); SPACEOFDIAMONDS (36A. Tiffany showroom?); and SPUTTERNONSENSE (51A. Babble incoherently?). Incidentally, this Sunday’s crossword featured the addition of ST to eight long entries.

A quick, uh, spin around the crossword on this back-to-work Monday finds quite a few familiar entries and clues; however ONCREDIT (39D. By deferred payment), which may bring a wince, and ATLANTIC (4D. Europe/America separator, with “the”) are the lone two of any length.

A few links: BEATLE (25A. John, Paul, George or Ringo); LOEWE (58A. Lerner’s partner for “Camelot); 43A. Tweety BIRD of Warner Bros. cartoons; and the ever-popular YUL (21D. Brynner who starred in “The King and I”) taking Deborah for a SPIN!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

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10.27.08 - Acrostic

In Search of the Nightmare

The Nightmare, Henry Fuseli, 1781

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Sunday, October 26, 2008

ACROSTIC by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon

A Brief History of Anxiety...Yours and Mine, by Patricia Pearson, provides the paraphrased quotation for today’s acrostic.

The quotation: I WOULD PREFER NOT TO BE AFRAID OF PHONE BILLS BLACK BEARS CLIMATE CHANGE HEIGHTS FLYING THE PROSPECT THAT THE SUPERVOLCANO UNDERLYING YOSEMITE WILL ERUPT AND KILL US AND THAT THE CAR IM DRIVING WILL SIMPLY EXPLODE.

The author’s name and the title of the work: PEARSON HISTORY OF ANXIETY

The defined words: PLANE; EVILTWIN (B. Sinister sort of doppelgänger [2 wds.]); APLOMB; RISK; SHELLEY; OVERWHELM; NIGHTMARE; HIPPOGRIFF; INCUBUS (I. Demon that preys on the unconscious); STEPHENKING (J. Winner of a 2002 Bram Stoker Award for lifetime achievement [2 wds.]); TRAUMATIC; OCTET; RATTLED; YELLOW; ODDBALL; FRIGHTFUL; ANGSTRIDDEN; NECROPOLIS; XENOPHOBE; ICARUS; EYEPATCH (U. Accessory for a pirate costume); YIDDISH (W. Language from which “golem” comes).

With its phobias, psychoses, paranoia and monsters, this acrostic is delightfully in tune with the season!

Uh, about that supervolcano underlying Yosemite!…try Yellowstone!

Click here for fear!!!

For the complete post, go HERE.

10.26.08

All Saint's Day

Sunday, October 26, 2008

ALL SAINT’S DAY, Puzzle by Daniel C. Bryant, edited by Will Shortz

Other than an abbreviated nod to All Saints' Day in the form of the inclusion of eight entries which contain an ST, resulting in a change of a standard phrase or whatever into a kooky one accompanied by a justifying clue, this crossword is otherwise fairly standard Sunday material.

In exchange for exchange of rings, holy roller, one-armed bandits, ultraviolet rays, goes all out, where the boys are, put on airs, and arch enemy are EXCHANGE OF STRINGS (23A. Switch in an orchestra section?); HOLY STROLLER (40A. Pilgrim?); STONE ARMED BANDITS (57A. Neolithic outlaws?); ULTRAVIOLET STRAYS (77A. Invisible lost dogs?); GOES ALL STOUT (96A. Gets fat?); WHERE THEBOYS STARE (115A. Go-go club?); PUT ON STAIRS (16D. Add new connections between floors?); and STARCH ENEMY (70D. Dieter?). St-st-st-st-st-st-st-stutter, anyone?

A few links: 16A. 1990 Literature Nobelist Octavio PAZ; 65A. Crazy Legs Hirsch of the early N.F.L.; 86A. Gen. Robt. ELEE; 99A. Composer Dohnányi; 4D. Franz who composed “You Are My Heart’s Delight”; 17D. Whitaker played him in a 2006 film; 44D. “The Time Machine” people; 80D. American suffragist honored with a 1995 stamp; 109D. Explorer Tasman of Tasmania fame.

Well, s-s-s-s-s-s-s-saints alive -- is that it? YEP (118D. “You betcha”)!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

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10.25.08

Are We Alone?

Whisper, Mandaly Louis-Charles

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Saturday, October 25, 2008

Puzzle by Karen M. Tracey, edited by Will Shortz

An AFICIONADO (11D. Buff) of who’s who crosswords might take well to this Saturday puzzle -- ARSENE; BLEDEL; CHEGUEVARA; ESSIE; ILIA; IRENEADLER; JABBA; JAMESJOYCE; KRAUSE; LIAT; MOSE; RONA; SHERA; TARAREID; TUPAC.

Other long entries -- AREWEALONE (54A. Conspirator’s cautious conversation starter); CIRCUMVENT; EARTHSHINE; JACKANAPES; JELLYSTONE; SANANTONIO; and YERBABUENA.

Then there's SQUIRREL (49A. Brunswick stew ingredient) and a couple of LEOS (52D. Bill Clinton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, to the stars?).

Is there someone else?

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

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10.24.08

You and I

Between You and I, Anthony McCall

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Friday, October 24, 2008

Puzzle by Frederick J. Healy, edited by Will Shortz

You and I are confronted today by four challenging corners with three ten-letter entries each, the main feature of this Friday crossword. Upper left across: JULIACHILD (1. Subject of the 1989 musical monologue “Bon Appétit!”); IRONMAIDEN (15. Old torturer); MICRONESIA (17. Country whose capital is Palikir). Upper right down: AMERICANME (12D. 1992 film directed by and starring Edward James Olmos); KARLMALDEN (13. Warden player in “Birdman of Alcatraz”); STREAMLINE (14. Simplify). Lower right down: HOTTAMALES (27. Sexy numbers); EXHILARATE (28. Send); SLEEPERCAR (29. Berth place). Lower right across: ONECALORIE (60. It’s easy to burn); DEADRINGER (65. Twin); STRIKEZONE (67. Thing to swing from).

Who is that?: In addition to Julia Child, Karl Malden, Edward James Olmos, hot tamales and a dead ringer, this puzzle gives us a bevy of personages, among them -- SATAN; ANNIEHALL; FONZ; MAEVE; PEALES; SAKS; HESS.

A few more links: NEWARK; OXLIP; VESTA; ALP; JIMA, and TERR.

A puzzle with plenty of company, including YOUANDI (40A. We)!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

For the complete post, go HERE.

10.23.08

Ants

“Ant”, Sarah Symes

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Thursday, October 23, 2008

Puzzle by Patrick Blindauer, edited by Will Shortz

ANTS (55D. “Marchers” through the answers to the five starred clues); ANTACID (14A. *Settler in a pharmacy); 21A. *”FANTASY Island”; PHANTOM (37A. *B’way hit beginning in ‘88); ATLANTA (48A. *Where Delta Air Lines is headquartered); and ENCHANT (61A. *Cast a spell over) are the interrelated entries of this Thursday crossword. The five ANTs start at the left of a seven-letter entry and “march” (stepping down) three squares for five entries, ending at the right side of the last. Seven ants in all, 49D. AVANT-dernier is the odd ant out.

Links for the day: LARRYHAGMAN (25D. Actress Mary Martin’s actor son); RIPTORN (7A. “Men in Black” actor); SPINOUT (23D. Indy 500 mishap); OAKLEY (45D. Annie with a gun); 28D. San Luis OBISPO; STEELE (40A. Sir Richard who co-founded the Spectator); VIAGRA (53A. Product once pitched by Pelé).

Along with those ANTS, little stuff includes ALER, ALOT (24. Oodles), ASIA, BEN, BITS (33A. Crumbs), CFOS, CHEF, CII, EMIL, EPA, HAWK, HOS, ISAK, ISH, ITEM, LET, NED, NOS and NTH, OAS, OAT (11D. Stable particle), OFT, ONEA, OSSO, PERI, PLY and PYLE, RENO, RLS, RTE, SADD, TALL, TDS, TSP, ULM.

Those few little ants just get lost in the crowd!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

For the complete post, go HERE.

10.22.08

Zzzzzzz!

Flaming June, by Fredrick Lord Leighton

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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Puzzle by Gary J. Whitehead, edited by Will Shortz

BED (68A. With 70-Across, what the end of 17-, 33-, 42- or 63-Across describes) SIZE (70A. See 68-Across), along with SIAMESETWIN (17A. Eng, for one); MAKEMINEADOUBLE (33A. Bar request); THEAFRICANQUEEN (42A. 1951 film named for a boat); and THE LIONKING (63A. “Circle of Life” musical) comprise the interrelated entries of this Wednesday crossword.

A few links to sleep on: ADONIS; ARARAT; ARMED; ASTER; BIBI; CLASSTRIP; DRE; FIELDMICE; FORSTER; LENORE; LUKAS; MOES; MRSULU; QUINN; TOSCA.

Zzzzzzz!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

For the complete post, go HERE.

10.21.08

Dots Polka!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Puzzle by Randall J. Hartman, edited by Will Shortz

In today’s crossword, P, PO, POL, POLK and POLKA are the clues for SIXTEENTH LETTER, RIVER OF LOMBARDY, CAPITOL HILL TYPE, FORMER PRESIDENT and OKTOBERFEST TUNE, respectively. Nice little turn!

The remainder of the puzzle is composed of short entries and of those, the longest contain only six letters, BISTRO, HERBAL, ONIONS and SMEARS (5D. Dirty tricks on the campaign trail).

The bulk of the puzzle is made up of five-letter entries -- a few links -- 20A. "AROOM With a View”); EXCON (15A. Parolee, e.g.); INLAW (23D. Holiday visitor, maybe); OPIUM (63A. Poppy product); 50. RUFUS T. Firefly, Groucho’s role in “Duck Soup”; SNERD (12D. Bergen dummy).


Click here for the “The Polka Dot Polka".

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

For the complete post, go HERE.

10.20.08

Change Direction

Monday, October 20, 2008

Puzzle by Daniel Raymon, edited by Will Shortz

CHANGEDIRECTION (38A. Take a new path … or a hint to 20-, 36-, 41- and 57-Across), along with NORTHTHORN (20A. Prickle in Alaska?); WESTSTEW (36A. Simmered dish in California?); EASTSEAT (41A. Chair in Maine?); and SOUTHSHOUT (57A. Scream in Alabama?) are the interrelated entries of this Monday back-to-work crossword and are in need of no explanation.

It is interesting to note, however, the near echoing of the interrelated entries with STINT (1D. Time in the army, say) and STORM (1A. Tempest) in the opening corner, matched by STENT (54D. Medical tube); and SMART (67A. Sting) in the closing.

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

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10.19.08

Perjury!

“Damn you!“ -- Marlene Dietrich, Witness for the Prosecution, 1957
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Sunday, October 19, 2008

PERJURY, Puzzle by Joe DiPietro, edited by Will Shortz

LIEUNDEROATH (112. Perjure oneself … or what can be found six times in this puzzle) is the binding entry for twelve across entries (including itself) --

CANTDOATHING (24. Is completely hamstrung) and LIEOVER (28. Completely cover); MYTHROATHURTS (26. Cold sufferer’s complaint) and BELIE (30A. Contradict); SEMIPROATHLETES (57. Part-time players) and PURLIEU (61. Confines); THEORADTOATHENS (77. Title of some 2004 Summer Olympics preview shows) and LIENS (83. Security agreements); SHOWBOATHOTEL (108. Atlantic City casino) and FLIEDOUT (114. Batted the ball too high, perhaps); OATHAYS (106. Certain feeds for horses) and LIEUNDEROATH.

The remainder of the crossword is much more straightforward.

A few links across: 5. Litter unit; 21. Carbohydrate binding protein; 31. Stream bank sliders; 40. Musical set in Berlin; 51. “WarGames” org.; 65. Hospital procedure, for short; 71. Part of a bedroom suite; 84. Spanish Harlem grocery; 89. It’s not a silk purse source, it’s said; 96. You may have a nightcap when you’re in these; 118. Victim of Pizarro.

Down: 4. Clockmaker SETH Thomas; 7. Producer who discovered and married Loren; 12. Eau CLAIRE; 23. Kind of rice used in risotto; 34. Bigot, of a sort; 40. Wine vessel; 42. Cardinal’s residence; 45. Some Venetian Renaissance paintings; 60. Distiller HIRAM Walker; 64. 1960s baseball All-Star Blue Moon ODOM; 76. Macy’s logo; 92. Former late-night TV host; 97. Longtime Philippine archbishop JAIME Sin; 98. One of the Dutch Masters; 104. Two for some hand holders; 111. Ruler of the Aesir.

To be honest, I didn‘t see the lies until I completed the whole puzzle -- er, perjury!

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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

For the complete post, go HERE.

10.18.08

Rack and Ruin

The Siren, by John William Waterhouse (circa 1900)
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Saturday, October 18, 2008

Puzzle by Brad Wilbur, edited by Will Shortz

OPENANDSHUTCASE (15A. Court slam dunk); GOTORACKANDRUIN (17A. Seriously deteriorate); GONZOJOURNALISM (48A Writing that mixes reportage and fiction); LOCALANESTHESIA (51A. It’s not a total knockout) and SKIRTTHEISSUE (16D. Equivocate) are the main entries of this Saturday stumper.

A few links across: 1. Like Delftware, CERAMIC; 8. Robert B. Parker’s private eye, SPENSER; 23. “The Right Stuff” subj., NASA; 26. Precursor of Pascal, ALGOL; 29. Designing women, SIRENS; 39. Wolf who wrote “The Beauty Myth”, NAOMI; 44. See 46-Across, with 44-Across, 1940 Laurel and Hardy film, SAPS AT SEA; 47. Chemical relative, ISOMER; 53. Wagner opera title role, TRISTAN.

Down: 1. Persuasiveness, COGENCY; 5. Some nags, MARES; 12. It may be chain-linked, SAUSAGE; 13. Star QB for the 1980s-’90s Bengals, ESIASON; 32. Fish by thrusting a baited hook into holes, SNIGGLE; 37. Cousin of a crocus, FREESIA; 44. Brew from Tokyo, ASAHI.

Talk about rack and ruin!

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For the complete post, go HERE.